State News

  On March 4, 2026, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) chapter hosted State Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt-114th), who provided legislative updates from the 104th Illinois General Assembly, and also included a tour of the University’s new Health Sciences Complex. The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from Keith Becherer, director of…

More than 100 unique products are in the running to advance to Top 16 Voting is now open in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s (IMA) 2026 “Makers Madness” contest, a bracket-style tournament that lets the public decide what product will be crowned The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. Presented by Comcast Business, the annual competition celebrates…

Lab will create new research-backed and technology-enabled tools for the next generation of Americans The Bill of Rights Institute, a national leader in civics and history education for more than 25 years, recently announced the launch of its new Civics Innovation Lab, marking the calendar’s Civic Learning Week March 9-13. The Civics Innovation Lab will develop,…

With less than three weeks left to apply, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) is reminding high school seniors across the state to submit their entries for the Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition by March 30, 2026, to qualify for scholarships of up to $60,000. The first competition of its kind in Illinois, the scholarship…

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced lane closures on westbound Interstate 55/70 in St. Clair County to allow for bridge maintenance. UPDATED: Beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 12, weather permitting, westbound I-55/70 will be reduced to two lanes between Illinois 203 and Exchange Avenue. All lanes are expected to reopen by 12 Noon Saturday,…

The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced lane closures on Old U.S. 50 from east of Pipeline Road to 13th Street in Clinton County, weather permitting, starting at 7 a.m. Monday, March 9. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. The lane closures are necessary for resurfacing and ADA improvements and are expected to be completed by…

Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL-15), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 passed out of committee. “As a third-generation farmer, I know firsthand that farming is not easy work, and I am committed to ensuring our Illinois producers receive support,” said Miller.…

  Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) presented legislative solutions to help make buying and staying in a home more affordable in Illinois. Last year, first-time home buyers dropped to a record low of 21 percent of total purchases, while the average age of first-time buyers…

State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) is partnering with Attorney General Kwame Raoul on an initiative to strengthen the Workplace Rights Bureau, enhancing the bureau’s capabilities to investigate and prosecute violations of laws that protect Illinois workers. “Bad actors are taking advantage of loopholes, and it’s time to pursue updates that will reinforce our Workplace Rights…

State Senator Christopher Belt introduced a measure that would give drivers more flexibility when renewing their vehicle registrations while still complying with state emissions testing requirements. “Right now, people are losing their jobs because they can’t legally drive over a failed emissions test,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “No one should be shut out of work or…